Philippine Coast Guard Successfully Contains Oil Spill from Sunken Tanker Terra Nova

The Philippine Coast Guard, along with its salvage response partners, has been successful in containing pollution from the sunken tanker Terra Nova, which sank during Typhoon Gaemi on July 25. The vessel, which carried an estimated 370,000 gallons of petroleum, has leaked a significant amount of oil into the bay. However, the PCG has managed to largely control the leakage. By August 1, all valves and high-level alarm pipes of the ship’s cargo tanks had been capped, and preparations were made for siphoning off the remaining cargo. The spill area coverage has significantly decreased, with only a thin sheen present at the site.

In the next two weeks, the PCG and its salvage partners plan to enhance the current containment measures before beginning the siphoning process. Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan stated that the salvage divers’ capping bags will be replaced by new metal caps to prevent any potential leaks. The siphoning operation is expected to commence within two weeks, after which the vessel will be refloated and moved to shallower waters, a process that will take approximately a week.

The United States Coast Guard and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are providing technical assistance for the response efforts. Terra Nova sank near Manila Bay while en route to Iloilo during Typhoon Gaeli, resulting in the loss of one crew member. Despite the tragedy, the PCG managed to rescue 16 crew members in a daring SAR operation, earning commendation for their bravery.

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